Test (2025) – Indian Drama Movie Review
Name: Test
Type: Drama / Family / Emotional
Language: Hindi
Release Date: 1 Mar 2025
Director: Rakesh Malhotra
Producer: Aarti Sharma
Star Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Tripti Dimri, Pankaj Tripathi, Seema Pahwa
Run Time: 2 hours 22 minutes
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
A Simple Story with a Powerful Message
Indian films have always been capable of reaching the hearts of people with emotional tales, good performances, and universal issues. The 2025 drama “Test” is a perfect example of how an ordinary tale can leave a lasting impression. Rakesh Malhotra produced the movie about an ordinary family living in a small town whose life changes for the better when their son receives an opportunity to take a scholarship exam on a national level—the ‘Test’.
With emotion, social commentary, and domestic values, “Test” is more than a movie, but a view of thousands of Indian homes. In this review, we will examine the plot of the film, its characters, its direction, and its music and how “Test” is one of the best Indian dramas in the year.
Plot Summary: Multiple Tests, Multiple Lessons
The movie is shot in a religious town of Uttar Pradesh, where lives simple school teacher Raghav (Rajkummar Rao) and wife Meera (Tripti Dimri) and bookworm 14-year-old son Ansh. Raghav is a simple man who believes in honesty, education, and hard work. He, even belonging to poor background, gives his son the best education he can at the government school where he works as a teacher.
Life takes a new turn when Ansh is selected for a country-level scholarship program that guarantees full scholarship at a premier city school. It is to be decided on the basis of a tough written test—the Test—that will be held in Delhi.
But the ride to Delhi is not so easy for the family. The family has some emotional and financial issues. Raghav takes a loan, Meera sells her jewelry, and the whole village rallies behind to finance Ansh’s aspirations. The film lingers on the way the family readies itself for this one colossal opportunity—how a single Test becomes a test of not just Ansh’s book sense, but of the family’s love, courage, and values.
Themes: Indian Family Values, Struggles, and Realism
Education and Opportunity
The theme of the movie is education. The film shows how the life of a child can be changed due to one exam. It also sheds light on the difference between school in the city and the village and how students from small towns do not have facilities but are talented.
Family Support and Sacrifice
The emotional connect of the film is due to the family relationship. The silent determination of Meera, the inner struggle of Raghav, and the innocence of Ansh move the audience so deeply. The sacrifices of the parents are poignant but understandable in most Indian households.
Society and Inequality
“Test” never fails to show us the truth of Indian society—corruption in schools, class inequalities, and the poor trying to get good education. It’s a very strong message about equal opportunity.
Performances: A Masterclass in Acting
Rajkummar Rao as Raghav
Rajkummar Rao once again reaffirms why he is India’s finest thespian. As Raghav, he brings to the role sincerity, anguish, and hope. His interactions with Ansh and Meera are chock-full of unspoken emotions that never need melodramatic monologues to leave an impact. Between a flash of pride and a choke of despair, he nails every emotion.
Tripti Dimri as Meera
Tripti Dimri gives a mature and powerful performance. She is a dominating, doting mother figure. There is a scene where she auctions off her marriage necklace wordlessly so that preparations for the journey to Delhi can begin. Her face expresses everything wordlessly without opening her mouth. It is one of the emotional moments of the film.
Pankaj Tripathi as School Principal Verma
Supporting but important role, Pankaj Tripathi fills the role of a kind-hearted principal who guides Ansh and assists the family. His spontaneous delivery of dialogue and calming aura lend a effortless natural charisma to the film.
Seema Pahwa as Mother of Raghav
Seema Pahwa lends warmth and sensibility of the good old days to the film. She is the embodiment of the old generation’s values and the emotional strength of the family.
Direction and Screenplay: Plain yet Strong
Director Rakesh Malhotra has not made the direction complicated and kept it plain. He does not use complex sets and unnecessary drama. He is more concerned about the strength of the story and the feelings of the characters. The script is trimmed, and all the scenes serve a purpose.
The dialogue is real and emotional. Lines like:
“Pariksha sirf bacchon ki nahi hoti, maa-baap ki bhi hoti hai.”
“Haar tabhi hoti hai jab umeed chhod di jaye.”
These are fresh even in the minds of the audience when the movie gets over.
Cinematography and Music: Realism Meets Emotion
Ravi Chandran’s cinematography is as good to show the countryside surroundings and the mayhem in the city. The travel by train scenes, bazaar-like roads, and family’s house are realistic and relatable.
The background score is soft and supports the emotions and does not overwrite them.
Editing and Pacing: Smooth Flow
The cuts are sharp, and the film never lags. It’s over two hours long, but the narrative comes at us in a steady even measure. The anticipation of being tested, the tension awaiting in the waiting room, and the disclosure of the last test results all are aptly suited to their timing.
Why “Test” Works in 2025 ?
In all the high-budget releases on the platform each month, “Test” stands alone. It doesn’t depend on stars or action. It is driven by a story, emotions, and performances.